Send announcements, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 or e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, contact Matthew Razak 703-917-6457. For additional entertainment listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com, E section.
<cal1>Wednesday/July 25
<cal2>Casino Trip. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Charles Town, W.Va. Includes slots and simulcast horse racing. Lunch on own. Cost: $7 members, $9 nonmembers, includes transportation and $5 cash back, subject to change. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
Film Screening. 6:30 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Enjoy a Humphrey Bogart film. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Creatures Great & Small. 4 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St. Experience Rainbow Puppet Production's latest musical. Tickets are required and may be picked up one half-hour prior to the program. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Loudoun County Fair. Loudoun County Fairground, Dry Mill Road, Leesburg. The 72nd annual Loudoun County Fair. Admission includes professional rodeo, demolition derby, petting zoo/farm animals, vendors/food and crafts, carnival rides and more. Visit www.loudouncountyfair.com for a detailed schedule.
Benfit Bake. American Flatbread, 43170 Southern Walk Plaza, Ashburn. American Flatbread will hold a fundraiser to benefit Inova Loudoun Hospital’s Pediatric Emergency Department. Twenty-five percent of every sold at the restaurant that night will go to Loudoun Healthcare Foundation in support of the hospital’s 24-hour pediatric ER. Call 703-723-7003.
<cal1>Thursday/July 26
<cal2>Young at Art. 4-5 p.m., Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. Program offers a variety of themes in individual classes. This week's theme is Dinosaur Adventures. Cost: $9 per child and includes all supplies used. Call 703-430-6673.
Loudoun County Fair. Loudoun County Fairground, Dry Mill Road, Leesburg. See July 25 for more information.
Watch and Learn Magic. 1:30 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road; 6:30 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place. See magic performance and learn a trick or two. Recommended for ages 12-18. Advance registration is required, call 703-444-3228 or visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Preschool Soccer Tournament. 6:30-7:30 p.m., Douglass Community Center, 405 E. Market St., Leesburg. Join in for the first annual preschool soccer tournament. Practice will be on Thursday with the game on Friday. Advance registration is required. Call 703-771-5913. Fee: $5.00/person.
<cal1>Friday/July 27
<cal2>Jazz Concert. 5:30-10 p.m., Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodridge Parkway, Lansdowne. Jazz on the Potomac featuring Matcus Mitchell Project. Free, food and beverages available for purchase. Children's movie, 6-9 p.m., cost: $15. Children must be potty trained to attend.
Under the Stars. 7-9 p.m., Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Pack a blanket and enjoy musical, cultural and other special events under the stars. Call 703-430-9480 for event schedule.
South Riding Summer Concert Series. 7-9 p.m., Town Green, South Riding. Wil Gravatt will perform. Free event. Visit www.southriding.net.
Watch and Learn Magic. 2 p.m., Sterling Library. Call 703-430-9500 or visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us. See July 26 item for details.
Loudoun County Fair. Loudoun County Fairground, Dry Mill Road, Leesburg. See July 25 for more information.
Journey Down the Appalachian Trail. 3 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Learn about the Appalachian trail. Tickets are required and may be picked up one half-hour prior to the program. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Preschool Soccer Tournament. 6:30-7:30 p.m., Douglass Community Center, 405 E. Market St., Leesburg. See July 26 listing for more information.
<cal1>Saturday/July 28
<cal2>Acoustic on the Green. 7-9 p.m., Leesburg Town Green, 25 West Market St., Leesburg. Featuring The Cherry People. Free. Visit www.acousticonthegreen.com or call 703-737-7084.
Summer Concert. 6-9:30 p.m., Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. Includes live entertainment, wine and food. Cost: $10 per person, 12 and under are free. Visit www.tarara.com or call 703-771-7100.
Birding the Blue Ridge Center. 8 a.m., Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship, located a few miles south of Harpers Ferry. Bring your binoculars and join the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy for the monthly bird walk. Meet at the Neersville Volunteer Fire Station on Rt. 671. Contact Joe Coleman at 540-554-2542 or jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org.
Wildflower Walk and Picnic. 5 p.m., the MacDowells, located near Waterford. Join Dr. Stan Shetler, Curator of Botany Emeritus at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, on a walk through the MacDowells to view the many wildflowers that thrive there in the summer. Call Karin or Bob MacDowell at 540-882-9000.
Mountain Play Day. 10-4:30 p.m., Bears Den Trail Center, 18393 Blueridge Mountain Road, Bluemont. Includes six suggested hikes of varying difficulty, insects presented by a docent form the Smithsonian’s Insect Zoo, and a potluck lunch. Call Linda Burchfiel at 703-506-4310 or e-mail larva@attglobal.net.
Drive-In Movie. Starts at dusk, approximately 8:30 p.m., Hyland Hills Pool, South Riding. Bring favorite float to the pool and enjoy "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial." Free event with a valid 2007 RecPass. Visit www.southriding.net.
Loudoun County Fair. Loudoun County Fairground, Dry Mill Road, Leesburg. See July 25 for more information.
James Horton Program for the Arts. 2 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place. Sadie Green Sales Jugband will perform a vaudeville-style musical act with versions of authentic Jug Band music. Call 703-737-8879 or visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Going Batty Campfire. 7:30-9 p.m., Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Explore bats and their many benefits on a short walk then toast marshmallows by the campfire. Bring a toasting stick. Children must be accompanied by adult. Call 571-258-3700 to register. Cost: $4 per person.
Ice Cream Social. 1-5 p.m., Capital Community Church in Ashburn. The Citizens to Elect Phyllis Randall will be hosting an ice cream social includes fun bounce for children, hot dogs and ice cream. Contact Anita or Alesa at info@randall4bos.com or Carla Wiley at carla@randall4bos.com. Suggested contribution $25.
Antique and Collectibles Yard Sale. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., 20684 Ashburn Road, Ashburn next to the Fire Department. In addition to antiques and collectibles there will be toys, games, compact discs, DVDs, baby things, lots of miscellaneous stuff. Benefits The Good Shepherd Alliance. Visit www.loudounhomeless.org.
<cal1>Sunday/July 29
<cal2>Musical Theater. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to Park View High School for the Sterling Playmakers' production of "King and I," a musical about Anna and the King of Siam. Cost: $17 members, $19 nonmembers, includes transportation and reserved seating. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
Bluemont Concert Series. 7 p.m., Route 734, Snickersville Turnpike. The Pan Masters will perform. Cost: $5 per person, $4 for Bluemont Friends and seniors, $2 for children 12 and under. Call 703-777-6306 or visit www.bluemont.org.
Artist's Tea. 1 p.m., Oatlands Plantation, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg. Includes tea sandwiches, sweets, scones with preserves and cream and Oatlands Afternoon Tea Blend. Cost: $24.95 per person, $15.95 for children. Visit http://www.oatlands.org/.
Summer Music Fest. 5 p.m., Belmont Country Club, 19661 Belmont Manor Lane, Ashburn. The Loudoun Summer Music Fest, a summer concert series and family festival, will feature a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night. Advance $15, Gate $20. Visit www.LiveAtBelmont.com or call 703-726-8867.
<cal1>Monday/July 30
<cal2>Monday Movies. 2 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. A different movie every Monday. Call 703-737-8100 for movie titles. Recommended for ages 12 to 18.
Creepy Crawly Critter Tales. 2:30 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place; 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Listen to creepy and crawly tales about backyard bugs. Recommended for ages 3 and up. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Tuesday/July 31
<cal2>Gardening. 12 p.m., Ida Lee Park Demonstration Gardens. Learn from a Master Gardener about heirloom vegetables. Visit www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org or call the Master Gardener Volunteers' Help Desk Office at 703-771-5150.
Tote Bag Bingo. 10:30 a.m.-noon, Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Fund-raiser for needed equipment for the center. Prizes for game winners. Cost: $5 donation for each bingo card. Call 703-430-2397.
Creepy Crawly Critter Tales. 2 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. See July 30 listing for more information.
<cal1>Wednesday/Aug. 1
<cal2>Musical Theater. The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace will take a trip to the Shenandoah Summer Music Theater in Winchester for a performance of "Bye Bye Birdie," a musical about a teen rock-and-roll star entering the Army. Cost: $31 members, $33 nonmembers, includes transportation and show. Minimum walking. Call 703-430-2397 for departure/return times and locations.
Film Screening. 6:30 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Enjoy a Humphrey Bogart film. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Creepy Crawly Critter Tales. 4 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St. Listen to creepy and crawly tales about backyard bugs. Recommended for ages 3 and up. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Egyptian Culture and History. 2 p.m., Cascades Library. Learn about Egypt's ancient history and experience modern Egyptian music, folk dance and clothing. Recommended for all age. Tickets are required and may be picked up one half-hour prior to the program. Free event. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Thursday/Aug. 2
<cal2>Lego Robotics. 6:30-8:30 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place. Construct a robot out of Legos then learn how to program it to perform simple tasks. Recommended for ages 12-18. Advance registration required, begins Register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or call the library at 703-444-3228.
Science Sleuth. 6-7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. Become a detective as you gather and use information from skeletons, fingerprints and DNA. Recommended for ages 12-18. Advance registration required. Register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Friday/Aug. 3
<cal2>South Riding Summer Concert Series. 7-9 p.m., Town Green, South Riding. The Groove will perform. Free event. Visit www.southriding.net.
Exploring an Old Southern Estate. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Morven Park, 17263 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. Learn Morven Park’s history from 19th century plantation to early 20th century hunt country estate and working farm. Cost: $5 per person, $1 for children. Call 703-777-6034 or visit www.morvenpark.org.
<cal1>Saturday/Aug. 4
<cal2>Acoustic on the Green. 7-9 p.m., Leesburg Town Green, 25 West Market St., Leesburg. Featuring Miguel Aubertin. Free. Visit www.acousticonthegreen.com or call 703-737-7084.
Book Swap. 10 a.m.-noon, Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, Sterling. All ages. Trade in books; includes books on tape, movies and compact discs. Free. Call 703-430-6673.
Annual Loudoun County Butterfly Count. 9 a.m., all over Loudoun County, Visit fields, farms, butterfly gardens and woods across the county with experienced butterfly identifiers from the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy. Visit www.loudounwildlife.org/Butterfly_County.htm or contact Nicole Hamilton at 540-882-9638 or nhamilton@loudounwildlife.org.
Summer on the Pavilion. 2-4 p.m., Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. An afternoon of family entertainment with cultural, musical and other special events. Free admission. Call 703-430-9480.
Blackberry Days Wine Festival. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. Includes award-winning wines, blackberry picking, food and craft vendors, wagon rides through the vineyard, canoeing and kayaking on Shadow Lake and live entertainment. Cost: $15 per adult, $8 for designated drivers and under 21, free for children under 6. Visit www.tarara.com.
<cal1>Sunday/Aug. 5
<cal2>Breakfast. 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Ashburn Fire and Rescue, 20688 Ashburn Road. Includes coffee, juices, eggs, hash browns, sausage, gravy and biscuits and pancakes. The apparatus bay area is open to children of all ages. Cost is $6 adults, $4 ages 3-8, under 3 free, $5 seniors. Call 703-729-0006.
Bluemont Concert Series. 7 p.m., Route 734, Snickersville Turnpike. Huancara will perform. Cost: $5 per person, $4 for Bluemont Friends and seniors, $2 for children 12 and under. Call 703-777-6306 or visit www.bluemont.org.
Blackberry Days Wine Festival. 11 a.m. -5 p.m., Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane in Leesburg. See Aug. 4 listing for more information.
<cal1>Monday/Aug. 6
<cal2>Monday Movies. 2 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road. A different movie every Monday. Call 703-737-8100 for movie titles. Recommended for ages 12 to 18.
Mr. Brian and the Boppets. 2:30 p.m., Cascades Library; 7 p.m., Ashburn Library. Bring the whole family to this puppet-filled, high energy, interactive rock concert. Tickets are required and may be picked up one half-hour prior to the program. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Tuesday/Aug. 7
<cal2>Mummy Wrap. 2 p.m., Cascades Library. Event will feature stories and songs to wrap up the summer reading program. Recommended for ages 6-10. Tickets are required and may be picked up one half-hour prior to the program. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Mr. Brian and the Boppets. 7 p.m., Ashburn Library. See Aug. 6 listing for more information.
Movie Matinee. 2 p.m., Sterling Library. Bring movie snacks and a blanket and enjoy "Prince of Egypt." Tickets are required and may be picked up one half-hour prior to the program. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Camp Song Sing-A-Long. 4 p.m., Ashburn Library. Come to sing spirited camp songs. Recommended for all ages. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Wednesday/Aug. 8
<cal2>Sock Hop. 2-4 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. '50s sock hop with disc jockey Paige Ballard. Cost: $2 for members, $4 nonmembers; $1 root beer floats. Call 703-430-2397.
Mr. Brian and the Boppets. 4 p.m., Sterling Library. See Aug. 6 listing for more information.
<cal1>Thursday/Aug. 9
<cal2>Dance Dance Revolution. 2:30 p.m., Ashburn Library. Play Dance Dance Revolution on the big movie screen and enjoy food and refreshments. Recommended for ages 12-18. Advance registration required. Call 703-737-8100 or visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Friday/Aug. 10
<cal2>Jazz Concert. 5:30-10 p.m., Lansdowne Resort, 44050 Woodridge Parkway, Lansdowne. Jazz on the Potomac featuring A.J.Q. Free, food and beverages available for purchase. Children's movie, 6-9 p.m., cost: $15. Children must be potty trained to attend.
Open Skate Night. 5:30-7:30 p.m., Douglass Community Center, 405 E. Market St., Leesburg. Bring skates or Rollerblades for a night of skating on an outdoor hockey rink. Call 703-771-5913. Cost: $1.
Sock Hop. 2-4 p.m., Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Dance to '50s-era music provided by disc jockey Paige "The Wolfman" Ballard, includes light refreshments. Cost: $2 members, $4 nonmembers. Call 703-430-2397.
South Riding Summer Concert Series. 7-9 p.m., Town Green, South Riding. Unity will perform. Free event. Visit www.southriding.net.
Under the Stars. 7-9 p.m., Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. An evening of musical, cultural and other special events under the stars. Free admission. Call 703-430-9480.
Afternoon with Illustrator Todd Parr. 2 p.m., Ashburn Library. Celebrate the work of author and illustrator Todd Parr with stories, songs, games and a craft. Recommended for ages 3-6. Call 703-737-8105 or visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Rocket Launch. 10:30 a.m., Cascades Library. Wrap up the summer reading program with a rocket launch. Listen to how the rockets are launched and then see a rocket launch. Recommended for all ages. Visit site @ www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
Cotton Candy Booth. 11 a.m.-1p.m., Cascades Library. Wrap up the summer reading program by learning how cotton candy is made and enjoying a free sample. Recommended for all ages. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us.
<cal1>Saturday/Aug. 11
<cal2>Acoustic on the Green. 7-9 p.m., Leesburg Town Green, 25 West Market St., Leesburg. Featuring Gary Smallwood. Free. Visit www.acousticonthegreen.com or call 703-737-7084.
Summer Concert. 6-9:30 p.m., Tarara Winery, 13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg. Includes live entertainment, wine and food. Cost: $10 per person, 12 and under are free. Visit www.tarara.com or call 703-771-7100.
<cal1>Sunday/Aug. 12
<cal2>Bluemont Concert Series. 7 p.m., Route 734, Snickersville Turnpike. Notorious will perform. Cost: $5 per person, $4 for Bluemont Friends and seniors, $2 for children 12 and under. Call 703-777-6306 or visit www.bluemont.org.
10K/20K Race. Beginning 7:30 p.m., 19th annual Leesburg 10K/20K Race, starting line at Market Street, Leesburg. Also includes "kids fun run," moon bounce, Harry the Happy Dragon and climbing wall. Entry fee: 10K $20, $25 after July 19; 20K $30, $35 after July 19. Visit www.runwashington.com. Benefits the Loudoun YMCA.